North American International Auto Show celebrates its 25th anniversary

By Joseph Szczesny, special to The Oakland Press

Monday, January 13, 2014

With memories of the recession beginning to fade away, the world’s automakers are again going all out to fill Cobo Center for the annual North American International Auto Show with an impressive array of new vehicles and new technology as well as a big dose of optimism about the prospects for 2014.

Detroit’s automakers are eager to add to the comeback that helped power them over the past year when Ford Motor Co. boosted its market share, General Motors cut its ties to the federal government and Chrysler forged new ties with the Italian automaker Fiat. Each of the three automaker’s want to use this year’s show as a spring board for further growth and each automaker is prepared to present new vehicles they hope will power their future success.

Ford, for example, will not only show off the 2015 Mustang but also the next generation F-150 which ill bring new technology and fuel efficiency into the full-size pickup truck.

GM will also show off a new mid-size truck from GMC while Chrysler will present future models destined to roll off an assembly line in a plant slated to shut permanently doomed during the last recession.

“It rounds out a lineup that offers the broadest range of capabilities in the industry, giving truck customers more choices to find the vehicle that meets their professional, personal and lifestyle needs,” he added.

DiSalle said when it goes on sale this year, the all-new Canyon will give GMC one of the only three-truck lineups in the industry. It is expected to deliver class-leading capabilities with the brand’s signature refinement – all in an efficiently sized, maneuverable package for customers who want the cargo-hauling versatility of a truck without the size of a full-size pickup.

Chrysler also is preparing for to unveil for the first time a pair of mid-sized cars built from architecture borrowed from Fiat that will be built in Sterling Height and give the Auburn Hills-based company its first credible entry into the critical mid-sized segment in several years.

Other automakers are also planning to put on major displays during the NAIAS, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary as one of the automotive world’s top international shows.

Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Kia and Tesla are all planning major introductions for the show during the press preview that starts Monday. The press coverage is expected to reach every corner of the globe.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, is staging a special drive of the new C-Class from its production plant in Tuscaloosa, Ala. to Cobo Hall. The show car is expected to arrive Monday morning.

The estimates are the automakers have combined to spend over $200 million on the new displays on the floor of Cobo Hall.

“It’s what we’ve been working toward since last January,” said Bob Shuman, chairman, NAIAS 2014. “The manufacturers continue to show their confidence in the NAIAS, and will once again bring their absolute best to Detroit’s world stage. The show is going to rock.”

As show organizers prepare to open to the largest media audience in North America, the industry remains focused on one of the top automotive events in the world.

“We’re at the top of our game,” said Shuman, who added the official NAIAS Press Conference Schedule, features more than 40 media events over the two-day press preview this week.

“That means introductions of an expected 50 worldwide concept and production vehicles that will be seen for the very first time right here in Detroit,” Shuman added.

The excitement around this year’s show is being fed in part by the positive outlook for 2014.

Detroit’s Three automakers are expected to report health profits later this month and are expected to distribute record profit sharing checks in early March, which will give the local economy and local car dealers – a huge lift.

At the same time, many automotive suppliers are actively seeking engineers and other skilled employees as automakers continue to look forward to healthy sales in the coming year. Overall sales are expected to be the best in more than six years, analysts said.

Patrick Archambault, Goldman Sachs vice president of global research, recently Society of Automotive Analysts in Detroit, car sales are expected to grow again in 2014. Sales in the U.S. should continue to increase before peaking in 2016.